-For today’s prophecy update, I want to talk about the fast moving developments of prophetic significance in just this last week. -There’s been what’s being dubbed as a “tectonic” shift in the Middle East that’s arguably the likes of which we’ve never seen. -I see it that way and say it that way because of how quickly everything is happening, seemingly now on an hour-by-hour basis.

-I’m keenly aware that saying this may sound sensational, but if this isn’t the beginning of Ezekiel 38, I truly don’t know what is. -If you’ll kindly permit me, I’ll explain why it is I believe we are witnessing the Ezekiel 38 prophecy beginning to come to pass. -For the benefit of those who may be unfamiliar with Ezekiel’s prophecy, I’ll take just a brief moment to explain what it’s about.

Ezekiel 38:1–8,13 --1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, (Modern day area known as Russia) the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. 5 Persia, (This is modern day Iran) Cush (This is Northern Ethiopia and Sudan) and Put (Modern day Libya and North Africa) will be with them, all with shields and helmets, 6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you. (Gomer and Beth Togarmah are the modern day region of Turkey) 7 “ ‘Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. 8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. …13 Sheba and Dedan (This is modern day Saudi Arabia) and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, (Some believe this is the U.K. and U.S.) “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?” ’

-I would submit every nation to a nation is now lining up like never before, exactly as recorded in Ezekiel over 2,500 years ago. -Namely, Russia, Iran, Turkey, et al, who are all at the ready to attack Israel vis-à-vis Syria, which they have taken control over. -What follows, though not in any particular order, is evidence from the breaking news out of Israel in just the last several days.

I’ll begin with this Ynet News report on Wednesday about how Putin held a 'victory summit' in Russia with Erdoğan, and Rouhani. Putin, in discussing what he refers to as Syria’s postwar prospects, was quoted as saying, “We've reached a new phase.” …What’s interesting is the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, paid a visit to the Sochi resort where the leaders were meeting. According to Ynet, “Putin told Rouhani and Erdoğan that …"Syria's collapse was prevented" thanks to the countries tri-lateral efforts. …President Rouhani replied that the time was right for a political settlement of the conflict and that he was pleased that Russia, Turkey and Iran were collaborating so closely on the issue of Syrian peace, but nevertheless emphasized that "foreign intervention in Syria must cease. Any (foreign) military presence in the country is only legitimate if it enters at the behest of the Syrian government." … The Kremlin added Putin also intends to speak with other leaders about the Syrian conflict. These have already included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (with whom he spoke on Tuesday for half an hour), US President Donald Trump (with whom he spoke for an hour on Tuesday), and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5046702,00.html

-In order to see the prophetic significance of this, one need look no further than to the aforementioned template of Ezekiel 38. -Specifically, Russia’s prominence and America’s absence as the power player on the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. -Even more specifically concerning Syria, and another well-known and related prophecy about Syria’s destruction in Isaiah 17.

-The question is not one of whether or not Russia and Iran are in Syria; it’s more a question of why Russia and Iran are in Syria. -The fact of the matter is Iran, via Russia, has military installations in Syria within about 30 miles of Israeli territory in the Golan. -I suppose the question is, what’s in it for Russia, and what’s in it for Iran? Why are they determined to keep Syria propped up?

It’s important to understand that Russia and Iran are keeping Syria propped up for different reasons. For Russia, it’s economic, and for Iran it’s prophetic. Let’s start with Iran and this Breaking Israel News report in which they ask, “Is Iran Trying to Bring Islamic End-of-Days in Syria?” Here are a few excerpts, “Iran is establishing bases in Syria, but according to some sources, their preparations to engage Israel are motivated far more by Messianic aspirations than military or political ones. … the escalation of Iranian military efforts in Syria are religiously motivated, Ryan Mauro, a political analyst for the Clarion Project, explained …”To the Iranian regime this is the fulfillment of prophecy.” Islam’s tradition holds that Mahdi is the redeemer of Islam. The arrival of Mahdi will coincide with the arrival of the Christian messiah, who will be the Mahdi’s assistant in fighting the Masih ad-Dajjal, the false messiah, or anti-Christ. …the Mahdi will reappear along with Jesus, who will declare himself a Muslim, and kill Christians who refuse to convert. Shia Islam holds that the end-of-days will be a bloody battle, killing off two-thirds of the world population and leaving the rest to convert to Islam. …In a speech in front of the UN General Assembly in 2008, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left the gathered politicians aghast as he explicitly begged Allah to hasten the return of the Mahdi. …Iran believes they will lead the battle against Sunni adversaries, continue down into Israel, and eventually take over Jerusalem. He believes that the recent destabilization in Saudi Arabia is a direct result of Iran’s apocalyptic agenda. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/98132/iran-trying-bring-islamic-end-days-syria/#pH4THF47r4QV1hhg.99

That’s Iran, now for Russia and this Russia Times article from Friday, with the headline, “Putin crowned 'world's energy czar' with Saudis bowing to reality.” Quoting the Times, “Russian President Vladimir Putin has become the most influential player in the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) …The Russian leader is currently “calling all the shots,” one senior OPEC official told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. Russia, which is not even a member of the group, has reportedly stolen Saudi power, which for many years was overwhelming when Riyadh could move crude prices with just a few words. “Putin is now the world’s energy czar,” said Helima Croft, an analyst who directs global commodity strategy at New York-based RBC Capital Markets, as quoted by the media. https://www.rt.com/business/410836-putin-oil-tsar-analyst-saudi/

-I’m personally of the belief it’s just a matter of time before the Russian Iranian led alliance of nations makes their fatal move. -By fatal I mean this will be fatal for them not Israel, because Ezekiel 38 goes on to declare that God’s hot anger will be aroused. -So much so that God will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on them, that they will know that He is God.

-Suffice it to say, everything is not only lining up exactly as we were told it would, it’s all coming to pass at a break-neck speed. -I think you would have to agree with me when I say that everything that’s happening is happening faster with each passing day. -I would liken it to being in a car driving very fast in order to arrive at your final destination, as the signs become more frequent.

Matthew 16:1–3 — 1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

-In closing, let me say it’s my hope that today’s prophecy update in some way helped you better interpret the signs of the times. -The time is at hand and the Lord’s return draws ever so nigh. Now is the time to make the most important decision of your life. -Kindly allow me to quickly share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, by way of what’s known as the ABC’s of Salvation.

The ABC’s of Salvation -A is for Admit you’re a sinner – Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The B is for Believe. Romans 10:9-10 says if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. The C is for Call. Romans 10:9-10 also says if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:13 says that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.